Kerry says Israeli settlements should not disrupt Mideast talks
BOGOTA (Reuters) – U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said on Monday that Israel’s announcement of new settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem “were to some degree expected,” and urged Israelis and Palestinians to move head with peace talks due…
Spying scandal sets back U.S. chances for fighter jet sale to Brazil
BRASILIA (Reuters) – U.S. hopes of clinching a coveted deal worth more than $4 billion to sell 36 fighter jets to Brazil have suffered a setback with recent revelations that the United States collected data on Brazilian Internet communications.
Mursi supporters stand firm, brace for Egypt crackdown
CAIRO (Reuters) – Islamist supporters of deposed President Mohamed Mursi refused to abandon their protest camps in Cairo on Monday and said they would fend off any police crackdown with sticks, stones and their faith.
Merkel’s chief of staff says U.S. spies did not break German law
BERLIN (Reuters) – Angela Merkel’s chief of staff said on Monday that fears of mass U.S. spying on Germans were unfounded, hoping to end a controversy that threatened to damage the chancellor as she seeks re-election next month.
Bahrain will ‘forcefully confront’ planned August 14 protests: PM
DUBAI (Reuters) – Bahrain’s prime minister said on Monday his government would “forcefully confront” protests called for later this week, and warned those behind planned demonstrations that they would be punished, state news agency BNA reported.
Islamist Nour Party to help shape new Egyptian constitution
CAIRO (Reuters) – Egypt’s Nour Party said on Monday it could join the assembly writing a new constitution, adding Islamist support to the military’s political transition plan following its overthrow of President Mohamed Mursi last month.
Algeria issues arrest warrants for former oil minister, others
ALGIERS (Reuters) – Algeria has issued international arrest warrants for nine individuals, including former oil minister Chakib Khelil, the official APS news agency said on Monday.
Rwanda opposition party to sit out vote after late registration
KIGALI (Reuters) – Rwanda’s Democratic Green Party said on Monday it will sit out September’s parliamentary election after the electoral commission took three years to register it, finally doing so just days before the deadline.
Deadly Iraq bombings target cafe, school and playground
BAGHDAD (Reuters) – At least 16 people were killed and 41 wounded on Monday in a suicide bomb attack on a crowded cafe in Balad, 80 km (50 miles) north of Baghdad, part of the worst wave of violence in Iraq in around five years.
Peru says top two Shining Path rebels killed in jungle shootout
LIMA (Reuters) – The Shining Path rebel group’s top two fighters are believed to have been killed in a shootout with Peruvian security forces in a drug-trafficking region of the jungle late on Sunday, President Ollanta Humala said on Monday.
